Tourniquet with rotatable buckle assembly

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates generally to first aid articles and more specifically tourniquets suitable for one handed application. One embodiment of the invention is directed to a tourniquet having a base defining first and second ends. A constricting band is attached to and extends from the first end of the base. A windlass handle is engaged with the constricting band. The constricting band is threaded through a self cinching stepped buckle. A buckle connector includes a hook member that engages the stepped buckle and is partly held in place through urging against a loop of the constriction band.

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/496,611, filed Sep. 23, 2019, which is anational stage application from PCT Application No. PCT/US2018/024126,filed on Mar. 23, 2018, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/475,854 filed on Mar. 23, 2017, which areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to tourniquets suitable for one-handedapplication.

II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Uncontrolled hemorrhage from trauma remains a major cause of death, bothon the battlefield and in civilian situations. Untreated, extremebleeding as in the case of arterial bleeding can cause hypovolemic shockwithin just minutes.

Tourniquets are well-known devices used to stop blood loss from trauma.When properly deployed, they provide life-saving support in emergencysituations when an injured victim is alone or cannot reach immediatemedical attention. A standard tourniquet is a tightly tied or wound bandapplied around an injured limb in an attempt to increase pressure aroundthe limb, above the injury and stop severe bleeding or uncontrolledhemorrhaging. Rapid application of a tourniquet above the site of injuryis paramount to effective hemorrhage control, as is rapid incrementalrelease of a tourniquet once medical assistance is available to providenext-step trauma management.

In emergency situations when the injured victim is alone, he or she mustbe able to apply the tourniquet to his or her own injured body part toocclude blood flow. Tourniquet self-application is especiallychallenging when the victim is constrained to using only one hand. Withlimited dexterity, the victim may have to undergo one-handed tighteningor adjusting of the tourniquet occur at unusual angles.

The present invention relates to an improved tourniquet particularlysuited for medics trained or skilled in tourniquet application.Developments in tourniquet design, including tourniquets designed forone-handed application, have become available in recent years. Many suchtourniquets are of the “windlass” type. Such tourniquets typicallyinclude a strap threaded through a windlass handle and coupled to atourniquet base. In order to tighten the tourniquet around a limb, thestrap is threaded through a buckle and the windlass handle is twistedthereby causing the strap to constrict circumferentially about the limb.A drawback to some of these known tourniquets is, under certaincircumstances, they do not facilitate speedy deployment to trappedlimbs. In order to deploy these tourniquets to trapped limbs, the strapmust be manually unthreaded from the buckle and subsequently routedaround the limb and rethreaded with the buckle before being tightened.That process requires acute concentration as well as precise dexterity,characteristics that are often not available to a victim in crisis or afirst responder in a high stress environment. In addition, that processdelays tourniquet application where even a few seconds of delay cancause fatal blood loss.

Another shortcoming of some known tourniquets designed for one-handedapplication is that they are sometimes difficult to cinch even when thestrap is engaged with the buckle requiring several tugs on the strap andsometimes aid of a second hand. Often, it necessary for a victim toapply the tourniquet to its own limb. The victim has typically sufferedsevere trauma and may not have the presence of mind, the patience or thestamina to overcome cinching difficulties.

Still further, at least some existing tourniquets delay one-handedrelease after use. Because tourniquets are designed to occlude bloodflow in emergency situations, conventional tourniquets delay one-handedrelease of the tourniquet buckle in order to prevent inadvertentdisengagement. However, rapid incremental release of a tourniquet can belife-saving when trained tourniquet users must adjust the positionand/or location of the tourniquet or when next-step trauma management isavailable and necessary.

For example, certain tourniquet buckle designs are comprised ofcomponents that may cause friction between interfacing bucklecomponents. Such friction prevents the inadvertent release of the bucklebut disadvantageously slows down the rapid release of the buckle whenneeded. Additionally, friction between tourniquet buckle components maycause wear with repeated use.

Known tourniquets also restrict the rotational capability of bucklecomponents once the buckle is engaged. For military personnel, lawenforcement personnel, first responders, emergency medical personnel,and others who are trained or skilled in proper tourniquet application,tightening of a tourniquet from a precise angle can facilitaterestriction of blood flow from areas that are especially difficult toocclude, such as limbs of larger circumferences like the proximal ordistal thigh region. The rotation of one or more buckle componentswithin an engaged tourniquet buckle can in some instances enable a moretargeted, angled pull of a tourniquet strap to tighten.

Accordingly, there is a need for a lightweight, low profile, low costtourniquet that can be rapidly self-applied and released by a traineduser with one hand and adjusted to a targeted angle of tightening.

III. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a tourniquet havinga buckle that facilitates one handed tourniquet application.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a tourniquet bucklethat minimizes time and effort to secure the buckle into an adjustable,secured position.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a tourniquet bucklethat permits transverse rotation of the buckle while engaged in itssecured position of up to about 45 degrees.

It is another object of the invention to provide a tourniquet bucklethat minimizes unintended detachment of the buckle.

It is another object of the invention to provide a tourniquet bucklethat facilitates rapid, release of the buckle when intended.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a tourniquet bucklethat maximizes tolerances permissible in the manufacturing process ofthe tourniquet buckle.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a tourniquet bucklecomprises a substantially rectangular stepped buckle frame, including aframe member and a step member. The substantially rectangular steppedbuckle frame comprises buckle frame sides that meet in roundedrectangular corners. A sliding arm is in communication with a first sideof the substantially rectangular stepped frame and a second opposingside of the buckle frame and is generally capable of movably connectingsaid buckle frame to a tourniquet strap. A hook is configured to engagesaid step member of said substantially rectangular stepped buckle frameand guide said step into a secured position. A strap channel bar is incommunication with the hook and defines a central aperture.

As used herein “substantially,” “generally,” “approximately,” “about”and other words of degree are relative modifiers intended to indicatedpermissible variation from the characteristic so modified. It is notintended to be limited to the absolute value or characteristic which itmodifies but rather possessing more of the physical or functionalcharacteristic than its opposite, and preferably, approaching orapproximating such a physical or functional characteristic.

IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an examplein the accompanying drawings and are described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structuralchanges based on presently known structural and/or functionalequivalents may be made without departing from the scope of invention.The above and other objects, advantage and features of the presentinvention will be more readily apparent when read in conjunction withthe following drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a top view of a tourniquet with a disengaged buckle inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a top view of a tourniquet with an engaged buckle inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a top view of a tourniquet with an engaged and rotatedbuckle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a side view of the buckle assembly in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a side view of the buckle assembly in accordance withanother embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 depicts a top view of a buckle in accordance with an embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 7 depicts a top view of a buckle connector in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 depicts a side view of the buckle connector in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 depicts a top view of a tourniquet buckle with self-cinchingslide member in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A description of various embodiments of the invention follows.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a tourniquet 101 according to the inventionincludes a constricting band 110 engaged with a base 115. Constrictingband 110 preferably has a width of between about 1 inch and about 3inches, and more preferably a width of between about 1 inch and about 2inches. In an exemplary embodiment, the constricting band has a width ofabout 1.5 inches.

A first end of the tourniquet 110 is fixedly attached, e.g., stitched,to base 115 at an attachment point 120. Constricting band 110 is thenthreaded through and/or engaged with a tourniquet handle 125 andreengaged with the base 115 at a second end of base 115. Constrictingband 110 then extends from the second end of the base 115 by at least asufficient distance to allow the strap to be wrapped around the limb ofan average size adult male. In some embodiments, tourniquet handle maybe attached to the base 115 in the manner described in U.S. Pat. No.7,776,064 which is herein incorporated by reference.

In accordance with the invention, an exemplary embodiment of thetourniquet according to this invention further includes a buckleassembly 130 comprising a self-cinching, rotatable buckle 135 and abuckle connector 140. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 and FIG. 9, in someembodiments buckle 135 includes a frame member 137 having aself-cinching slide member 139 engaged with frame member 137. In someembodiments, the self-cinching slide member 139 comprises a structuralmember such as a cuff or bar that extends across an opening of the framemember 137 and forms a tongue and groove type engagement with first andsecond opposing sides 137A and 137B, respectively, of frame member 137.As shown in FIGS. 1-5, constricting band 110 is looped over theself-cinching slide member 139 such that by simply pulling the free endof constricting band 110, the self-cinching slide member 139 slidesalong frame member 137 until constricting band 110 is pinched betweenself-cinching slide member 139 and side 137 a and/or side 137 b of theframe member 137.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4-6 and 9, stepped rectangular buckle 135comprises a step member 138 and a frame member 137. In an exemplaryembodiment, frame member 137 comprises three sides of a rectangle, i.e.a base 137C and two sides, 137A and 137B. Step member 138 protrudes fromframe member 137 and comprises a raised step edge 138A, two sidesupports 138B and 138C, and two flared base portions 138D and 138E. Theraised step edge 138A extends substantially parallel to base 137C. Sidesupports 138B and 138C are integrally formed with raised edge 138A atapproximately perpendicular corners and extend rearwardly towards base137C. Base portions 138D and 138E of step member 138 extend outwardlyfrom the two side supports 138B and 138C and are integrally formed withsides 137A and 137B at substantially right angles. The raised edge 138Ahas a length that is slightly greater than the width W1 of hook member142 and less than the length of frame member base 137C. In someembodiments, buckle 135 has rounded rectangular corners. In accordancewith FIG. 6, in some embodiments buckle 135 is cylindrical in crosssection. The cross sectional shape is believed to minimize the level offriction between step member 138 and hook member 142 and allow anindividual to set step member 138 into its engaged position in thecrescent trough of buckle connector 140 with greater ease.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, buckle connector 140is pivotally attached to base 115 proximate to the first end of base115. As illustrated further in FIG. 7, buckle connector 140 comprises ahook member 142 and a strap channel base member 145. Hook member 142comprises a cuff having an interior surface. The hook member 142 extendsfrom a strap channel base member 145 which defines a strap engagingaperture 148. The strap channel base member 145, as further illustratedin FIG. 7, preferably has rounded edges and includes a firstsubstantially vertical side 145A from which hook member 142 extends anda second side 145B which is slightly curved.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2-5, buckle connector 140 is connected to base115 by a loop 150 formed near the first end of constricting band 110 andis constructed to form a friction fit with buckle 135 and loop 150. Insome embodiments, constricting band 110 comprises material sufficientlyflexible to create a circumferential band while accepting a mechanicaladvantage mechanism. In some embodiments constricting band 110 is madeof heavy weight polypropylene webbing or nylon webbing. In an exemplaryembodiment, loop 150 is comprised of the identical material asconstricting band 110. It is desirable to keep buckle connector 140engaged with buckle 135 unless and until a user actively disengagesthem. It is also desirable for buckle 135 to be capable of adjustmentand/or rotation while engaged with buckle connector 140 to facilitatetargeted, angled tightening of the constricting band 110. Further, it isbeneficial for buckle 135 to rapidly disengage from buckle connector 140after use. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, as illustratedin FIGS. 4-5, step member 138 is adjustably secured in the crescenttrough of the buckle connector 140 and maintained in its engagedposition by contact with loop 150 and/or the inner surface of hookmember 142. Loop 150 acts as a barrier to inadvertent disengagement ofbuckle 135 as well as a means for attaching buckle connector 140 to base115. With step member 138 engaged with buckle connector 140, buckle 135is capable of a certain degree of rotation relative to buckle connector140. Rotation beyond a certain degree of transverse and longitudinalrotation is believed to be thwarted by loop 150 catching buckle 135and/or by hook member 142 urging against the portion of constrictionband 110 which is looped over self-cinching member 139. Likewise, buckleconnector 140 may realize such rotation relative to buckle 135. FIG. 3illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the tourniquet with buckle 135 ina rotated position when engaged with buckle connector 140. In someembodiments, buckle 135 is capable of transverse rotation of up to about45 degrees when engaged with buckle connector 140. In anotherembodiment, buckle 135 is capable of longitudinal rotation of up toabout 180 degrees when engaged with buckle connector 140.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4-5 and 7, buckle connector 140 comprises acuff. Hook member 142 has a lengthwise dimension L1 and a width W1. Inkeeping with an aspect of the invention, hook member 142 has a width W1that is substantially smaller than the length of buckle frame base 137C.In one embodiment, W1 is one half the length of 137C. Because the sizeof the opening of frame member 135 is larger than the length of hookmember 142, it is easier for an individual under stress to connectbuckle connector 140 to buckle 135 as it minimizes complicated motormovements and reduces the level of hand eye coordination required toconnect buckle connector 140 to buckle 135. These are particularlyimportant considerations in low light, high stress combat environments.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, hook member 142 is integrally formed withstrap channel base member 145. Hook member 142 is generally J shaped andincludes a trough 142A, a leg 142B, and an end portion 142C integrallyformed with leg 142B. End portion 142C is offset from the axis of 142Bby an angle “A” of about 15 degrees. This offset end portion functionsas a ramp and facilitates insertion of step edge 138A into trough 142Aof hook member 142.

In keeping with another aspect of the invention, it is desirable tominimize the loosening of the tourniquet such as may happen, e.g., ifthe tourniquet is snagged during patient movement. Accordingly, a loop150 is threaded through eyelet 148 and fixedly attached to base 115,e.g., by stitching, to connect buckle connector 140 to base 115. Whenstep member 138 is lodged in the crescent trough of buckle connector140, as the tourniquet is displaced during patient movement or tacticalextraction, buckle connector 140 is inclined to pivot about loop 150 andis disinclined to pivot about buckle 135 which minimizes the prospect ofaccidental loosening of constriction band 110.

The following Example illustrates an exemplary embodiment of atourniquet buckle of the present invention.

Example

A tourniquet of the type shown in FIGS. 1-9 has a buckle 135 and abuckle connector 140 made from metal. In this example, the buckle 135has a cylindrical diameter D1 of approximately 0.187″. The buckle 135has a step member 138 and a frame member 137. The frame member 137comprises three sides of a rounded rectangle with a base length 137Cmeasuring approximately 1.5″ excluding the rounded corners and extendedlength S including the abutting rounded corners and measuringapproximately 2.0″. Sides 137A and 137B each measure approximately0.937″ including one rounded corner and have a truncated width Texcluding rounded corners that measures approximately 0.688″. Stepmember 138 has a total length U about equal to the frame extended baselength S or approximately 2.0″. Raised edge 138A is centered in thebuckle frame such that the center of raised edge 138A is approximately0.750″ or about halfway in from frame base 137C. The raised stepped edge138A has a length of about 0.760″ excluding its surrounding roundedcorners and an extended length V including rounded corners measuringapproximately 1.258″. The depth of the step member 138 is approximatelyequal in length to sides 138B and 138C and measures approximately 0.654″included the rounded corners. The flared step base portions 138D and138E each have a length of approximately 0.619″ including roundedcorners.

In this example, the buckle connector 140 has a hook member 142 andstrap channel bar 148. As illustrated in FIG. 7, hook member 142 has awidth W1 of approximately 0.750″. Strap channel bar has a verticallength L2 of approximately 1.640″ excluding its rounded edges and awidth W2 of approximately 0.365″ excluding its rounded edges. Strapchannel bar 148 has a generally rounded rectangular aperature that isapproximately centered in bar 148 and has a length L3 of approximately1.562″ and a width W3 of approximately 0.125″.

As shown in FIG. 8, hook member 142 is a generally J-shaped structureintegrally formed with strap channel base member 145. Strap channel basemember 145 has a width W4 of approximately 0.64″. Hook member 142 has agenerally hemispherical trough with a diameter D2 of about 0.336″ andleg 142B with a length measuring about 0.389″. Integrally formed withleg 142B is end portion 142C, which has a length of about 0.163″ and isoffset from the axis of leg 142B by an angle of up to about 15 degrees.

While the present invention has been illustrated and described by meansof specific embodiments and alternatives, it is to be understood thatnumerous changes and modifications can be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it should beunderstood that the invention is not to be limited in any way except inaccordance with the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tourniquet comprising: a base having first andsecond ends; a constricting band attached to and extending from thefirst end of said base; a handle engaged with said constricting band;and a tourniquet buckle assembly comprising substantially rectangularstepped buckle frame, including a frame member and a step member; aself-cinching sliding arm transversely extending from a first side ofsaid substantially rectangular stepped buckle frame to a second opposingside of said substantially rectangular stepped, said sliding arm beingconfigured to slide along the buckle frame; a buckle connector,including a hook member and a strap channel base member, said strapchannel bar base member connected to said hook member and defining acentral aperture, a loop engaged with said central aperture and fixedlyattached to said base, said hook being configured to engage said stepmember of said buckle frame, guide said step member into an adjustablysecured position, said loop being configured to provide a resilientbarrier to unintended disengagement of said engaged buckle, and saidhook and said loop being configured to facilitate secured rotation ofsaid buckle frame when said buckle frame is engaged with said hook. 2.The tourniquet of claim 1, wherein said buckle frame has a cylindricalcross section.
 3. The tourniquet of any of claim 2, wherein saidself-cinching sliding arm forms a tongue and groove type engagement withsaid buckle frame.
 4. The tourniquet of claim 3, wherein said hook ispivotally attached to said loop.
 5. The tourniquet of claim 3, whereinsaid loop is a substantially resilient textile material.
 6. Thetourniquet of claim 3, wherein said hook and said loop are configured toform a friction fit with said buckle frame.
 7. The tourniquet of claim3, wherein said buckle frame is capable of transverse rotation up to 45degrees when engaged with said quick connect and release hook.
 8. Thetourniquet of claim 7, wherein said buckle frame is capable oflongitudinal rotation up to 180 degrees when engaged with said quickconnect and release hook.
 9. The tourniquet of claim 8, wherein saidstep member of said buckle frame has a length that is slightly greaterthan a width of said hook member.
 10. The tourniquet of claim 8, whereinsaid hook member has a width that is about half of the lengthwisedimension of a base of said frame member.
 11. The tourniquet of claim 3,wherein said hook is pivotally attached to said loop.
 12. The tourniquetof claim 11, wherein said loop is a substantially resilient textilematerial.
 13. The tourniquet of claim 1, wherein said hook and said loopare configured to form a friction fit with said buckle frame.
 14. Thetourniquet of claim 1, wherein said buckle frame is capable oftransverse rotation up to 45 degrees when engaged with said quickconnect and release hook.
 15. The tourniquet of claim 14, wherein saidbuckle frame is capable of longitudinal rotation up to 180 degrees whenengaged with said quick connect and release hook.
 16. A tourniquetcomprising: a base having first and second ends; a constricting bandattached to and extending from the first end of said base; a windlasshandle engaged with said constricting band; a tourniquet buckle assemblycomprising: a substantially rectangular stepped buckle frame including aframe member and a step member, a self-cinching sliding arm transverselyextending from a first side of said substantially rectangular steppedbuckle frame to a second opposing side of said substantially rectangularstepped buckle frame, said sliding arm being configured to slide alongthe buckle frame; a buckle connector, including a hook member configuredto engage said stepped buckle frame and a strap channel base member,said strap channel base member integrally formed with said hook memberand said strap channel base member including a central aperture; and aloop threaded through the central aperture of said strap channel basemember and positioned to impeded disengagement of said stepped buckleframe from said buckle connector.